James Kairos 5/28/19 James Kairos 5/28/19

Collectors and Connections

The first time I participated in an open studio event, I was so nervous. What if no one came? Or worse, what if they did come and didn’t like my work? I was renting part of a converted garage as my workspace, and I cleaned up and propped my paintings around: 6 or seven large canvases, semi-abstract landscapes inspired by nearby radio towers and train trestles. I opened my doors and…It was slow. Very slow. A few people came and went, most not saying much. I was so relieved when a few friends visited. By the end of day one, I was considering not coming back the next day. But I had signed a piece of paper saying that I’d be there both days, so I went ahead and opened the studio doors for day two.

Late that morning, a young couple came in with their baby and lingered. Asked questions. Seemed to really consider the paintings and wanted to know what inspired them and what they were about. I was so grateful for their engagement and enthusiasm. They left. Then they came back. They really wanted one of the paintings, a large oil painting of a wide sky and radio towers, but they had very little money. Would I take payments? Yes, of course, you can take as long as you want I said. The woman took pictures of the painting, my address, and my phone number, and I set the painting aside for them.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does

.Every few months, a check arrived in the mail, as much as they could afford to send. Buying that painting was not easy for them, and that made an impression. The woman and I got to know one another a bit and I learned that she was a writer and a poet and that the painting felt important to her because when she looked at it she felt alive and hopeful. It reminded her to be strong and make her art. She called it a beacon. When their final check arrived, tucked into the envelope with a poem written for and dedicated to the painting.

That early experience, during a time when I was learning what it was to be an artist, taught me what a collector can be. The painting had found its person, and the circuit between intention and reception was connected. It was the best feeling, one that fortifies me even today. I learned that the things I make can make a difference in other people’s day-to-day lives, that a collector is not just purchasing a thing to put on a wall, but also an experience that unfurls beyond my handing the artwork off to them. The paintings themselves hold opportunity for new relationships and meanings. It’s a magical thing, and a privilege to make the art and see it go out to the world, in people’s homes, in offices, healthcare facilities, lobbies, and even on a few ships that sail around the world. So, thank you to the collectors that make my work possible!

James Kairos 5/28/19 James Kairos 5/28/19

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.